Dilip De
Smart Phone Art
Dilip
De is an Indian entrepreneur.
He is the founder of RST (formerly known as the Ranadip Shipping Group). He
also servers as a member of Jehangir
Art Gallery, one of India's most reputed non-profit art center, which plays a
primary role in encouraging new talents and as well as established artists to promote
art and craft in India. He is also a member of Bombay Art Society, the
oldest art center in India, which offers a platform to emerging and established
artists.
The
Ministry of Commerce & Industry issued Copyrights to De for for his breakthrough in using a smartphone and
stylus to create art. De thus recognized as the first artist to create art on
an unconventional canvas by painting with his smartphone. He donated the entire proceeds from the
exhibition which was held on 16thAugust,
2016 at Jehangir Art Gallery to Cancer Patients Aid Association,
Mumbai.
De,
as a Collector of paintings and crafts
have always encouraged both established and emerging artists to realize their
full potential.
Education
De was educated at La Martiniere, Kolkatta School for Senior
Cambridge Certificate and read Bachelor of Commerce at St. Xavier’s
College, Kolkatta.
Awards
1.
The Orchid
Society of India (TOSA) (Panjab University) Entrepreneurship Development Award
in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Promotion of Orchid Science
and Commerce.
2.
Port of Charleston,
USA honoured De with an Honorary Brach
Pilot designation for his contribution to ocean shipping.
3.
De was honoured with a Shiromani Award, 1990 for
his pioneering role in introducing containersed
shipping in India.
Career
De
started his career with American Shipping Company Everett Steamship and
then moved on P&O/BI/Mackinnon Mackenzie Group in India. Entrusted with
purchase of bulk carriers, shipping services, travel & tourism activities. De served as Chairman of Japan/India/Persian
Gulf Conference and West Coast of India – USA Conference which monitored trade
practices of member Shipping Companies on these global trade routes.
Subsequently, De established Ranadip Shipping to introduce multimodal global containersed shipping service in conjunction
with Sea-land Service Inc. Later, diversified into real estate, warehousing,
port management, logistics, stevedoring and floriculture.
De served
on the Expert Committee of United nations
Development Programme on shipping, aviation, surface transport for
Economic Reforms.
De served
on Board of Thomas Cook India and Hindustan Cargo Ltd.
De was Deputy
Chairman of Indo-Dutch Business Council of Bombay Chamber of Commerce. As an
invitee of the Dutch Government, De visited Holland to expand start up investments in floriculture industry.
At invitation of the Government of India, De served as a member of the Central Advisory
Committee for Lighthouses.
The
Creators Project
How A Wealthy Businessman Became
an Artist By Painting with his Phablet
Francesca Capossela - Aug 20 2016
A well-known art collector and wealthy Mumbai
businessman was standing in his orchid gardens in Alibag when he was struck by
a desire to paint the flowers for his writer wife. Taking out a stylus and his
Galaxy Note, Dilip De got to work. It took him a while to understand how to
work the stylus and he accidentally deleted several paintings before eventually
completing his first ever piece of art. Spurred by this experience, De began to
paint on with his device voraciously. Clearly influenced by Picasso, De explains
that he studied art both when he was younger and as an art collector, and he
has applied his knowledge of art history to his new passion, invoking themes of
abstract surrealism and figurative art. Introducing his work, De excitedly
explains that his phablet-based art allows him to create whenever and wherever,
making art "omnipresent." On August 17th, De's 24 paintings were
shown in an exhibition called Celebration of Love at Jehangir Art Gallery.
After contacting Samsung India to ask if the company
knew of other exhibitions of this nature, De partnered with the company for his
first exhibition. However dubious a partnership between the shipping tycoon and
multibillion dollar company may seem, De's excitement about his painting is
obviously genuine. As an art collector, De explains that he "encouraged
both established and emerging artists to... sell their works for the highest
prices achievable" because "an artist cannot produce on an empty
stomach!" Calling himself a "budding Notebook phone digital
artist," De says he wants to help every unestablished artist in India
realize that they can turn their passion into reality, using technology to make
art more accessible and affordable. De's artist statement, along with his
background, raise important questions about the art industry and its
accessibility, but his simple discovery story and palpable enthusiasm are
heartwarming, and his art is thoughtful and multifaceted. Creators Project has
described Dilip De's paintings with his phablet as a story of Simple Discovery.
About Dilip De's creative digital art on a phablet, Samsung India has
acknowledged that they have not encountered an exhibition of art created on
their Galaxy Note Series.
(The Creators Project is a global celebration of
creativity, arts and technology. Launched in 2009 with INTEL as Founding
Partner, the platform features the works of visionary artists who are using
technology to push the boundaries of creative expression. Participating artists
include Karen O, Andrew Huang, Mick Rock, Barney Clay and David Bowie)
Creators Project has described Dilip De's paintings
with his phablet as a story of Simple Discovery. Samsung India has acknowledged
that they have not encountered an exhibition of art created on their Galaxy
Note Series.
(Reference- http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/indian-businessman-becomes-artist-with-phablet-paintings)
‘Art
is Omnipresent’:
The Artist’s Statement
By Dilip De
Whilst
standing in my orchid gardens in Alibag, I felt the urge
to draw these beautiful flowers on my Galaxy Notebook for my
wife, Shobhaa. As an anadi with
gadgets, it took me a while to learn how to use a phone stylus as a
'brush' and ‘dip’ it in the colourbox, my purported palette, which is an
integral part of the Samsung phone. Soon, much to my delight, I started
drawing the outlines of an orchid flower on the tiny screen – 5.2 x 4
inches which came to be my ‘canvas’! Regrettably, in my initial enthusiasm, a
few of my paintings disappeared from the screen as I had unknowingly put extra
pressure on the screen whilst drawing – sadly those works vanished in an
instant and were lost forever. Gradually, however, I mastered the required
skill and surprised Shobhaa with a painting of a Sakura!
That was the start of an unchartered journey of self-expression and this
specific process of painting on a Samsung Notebook that has never been
tried before. Unlike conventional art for which an artist requires a studio,
brushes, paints, easel and palette – I, luckily can draw and paint at any place
where inspiration strikes –be it in a restaurant, airport or bedroom – anywhere!
I am merely reminding and emphasising, as I joyously discovered, that
Art is omnipresent ... and artistic expression can be realised at any
place and time. Art is no longer confined to a studio, but is truly the product
of spontaneity and creativity achieved at ones leisure.
As a person born into a family of art connoisseurs, I
learnt to enjoy and appreciate art, beauty, nature and colours from an early
age. An important part of being an art collector is to read as much as you
possibly can. Knowledge is your greatest tool. While reading about important
European schools and artists of the 20th Century,
Surrealism is the one movement that has stayed with me. Now, as I begin my own
artistic journey, I can see the sub-conscious influence of Surrealist principles
in my work as well. Duality and Intrigued would be what I call
the ‘figurative’ school whilst Ravishing
Kanchenjunga, Mumbai Sky Symphony and Alibag Sky Tango could be called
‘abstract’ surrealism, which is based on the belief that certain forms are
better recognised in a superior reality, as they could often be neglected in
their everyday manifestation.
I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of creating art in a restricted space
without the aid of an art related, painting, drawing, enhancing image ‘Application
Software’. Even though my medium is cutting edge, I draw in the
traditional technique with a stylus provided by the manufacturer. As a budding
artist, I am eager to learn new, complex techniques that will enable me to
develop a distinctive style and unique visual vocabulary, thereby expressing my
thoughts graphically, rather than sending political or confrontational
messages. I am apolitical. I don't take myself seriously as an
artist... but this discipline helps me to be calm, humble and eager to
learn. My focus is to explore how technology can help create new art
forms, thereby reinforcing the idea that traditional art, drawing in
particular, can be adapted to keep up with artistic advances in our
technology-focused lives, beginning with our smartphones.
I accidentally achieved this breakthrough on a Samsung Galaxy Note Series,
which may well be a new development in digital art, with the help of a stylus
and palette provided by the manufacturer but without the aid of any apps.
Samsung India has acknowledged that they have not encountered an exhibition of
art created on the Samsung Galaxy Note Series and are thus partnering me
in showcasing my first solo art exhibition at the Jehangir Art Gallery on
August 16, 2016. I have pledged to donate the entire proceeds from this sale of
limited edition digital prints to the Cancer Patients Aid Association in Mumbai.
As
a Collector, I have encouraged both established and emerging artists to realise
their full potential and sell works for the highest prices achievable, much to
the chagrin of my fellow collectors. My point was and remains simple – an
artist cannot produce art on an empty stomach! Now as a budding Notebook phone
digital artist, my dream is to make every budding artist in our country realise
how easy it can be to follow a dream and turn a hobby into a reality. And to
all those who love art: here’s yet another way that technology has made things
more accessible and affordable.
This
new found experience gives me happiness and it serves as another form of
meditation and self-discovery which helps me to improve myself and be a better
husband, father, brother, friend and a better human being… People must
remember that art is omnipresent and I hope my experience will convince others
to spread Smart Phone Art!
Purchase
Smartphone Created Artwork at affordable rates from Dilip De’s official Website
Dilip De has created a new series
of paintings with a new technique of layering colours in different hues under
the title “Celestial Collection” and De has created his personal webstore to
promote cashless art – here’s yet another way that technology has made things
more accessible and affordable. You can buy them in various sizes at an
affordable rate.
The artworks are fastidiously printed and wonderfully
produced, using archival grade pigment inks on the finest canvas. They are
coated with an extra protective layer which reduces scratches.
These pieces of art work are definitely stunning
and you will treasure them for years.
Press Coverage
Dilip De's smartphone created abstract, landscape, portrait, &
cubist art has been featured in
the following online publications:
· The Creators Project: How a wealthy businessman became an
artist by painting with his phablet- http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/indian-businessman-becomes-artist-with-phablet-paintings
· Times of India: Amitabh Bachchan inaugurates Dilip
De's debut art show - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style-landing/people/Amitabh-Bachchan-inaugurates-Dilip-Des-debut-art-show/articleshow/53739919.cms
· Asian Age: Dilip De finds a canvas in
his phone- http://www.asianage.com/arts/dilip-de-finds-canvas-his-phone-858
· Times of India: Dilip De debuts as a smartphone
artist this week- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style-landing/people/Dilip-De-debuts-as-a-smartphone-artist-this-week/articleshow/53706156.cms
· Pressreader / Times of India:
De's brush with digital phone art
draws in orchids & Ottoman's.- https://www.pressreader.com/india/the-times-of-india-mumbai-edition/20160807/281685434229629
· Filmymantra Youtube: Amitabh Bachchan inaugurates Dilip
De's smartphone painting exhibition- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cYp3Xtu4l0&spfreload=5
· DNA India: Dilip De gives a new twist to digital
art by using the mobile phone as canvas- http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-art-gets-a-smartphone-canvas-2247298
· DNA India:
Smart phone, Smart art- http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-smart-phone-smart-art-2245788
· Bollywoodlife.com: Superstar Amitabh Bachchan launches
Dilip De's art exhibition-http://www.bollywoodlife.com/photos/celeb-amitabh-bachchan/superstar-amitabh-bachchan-launches-dilip-des-art-exhibition-celebration-of-love-in-mumbai-see-hq-pics/
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